I was at about 12 minutes into my shugging routing this morning when I started driving fence posts, I made a note that "these are really working my lower back muscles" it felt good - then bam! The muscles behind my right shoulder blade are all knotted up charley horse like. I am certain that this is a pinched nerve issue as I have have it before (it was MUCH more painful back then.)

I was not going crazy and out of control, just nice smooth easy movements. It still did me in. I think I will no longer drive fence posts and will find something else to get those back muscles strong.

I think it would be wise to skip driving fence posts if you have a weak or bad back (like mine - I have a "squished" but not ruptured disk.)

I think you should skip shovelglove altogether if you have a weak or bad back. Do something else that doesn't put so much shear force on your spine until you are strong enough to pick up a hammer and swing it.

I think that the stopping action at the end of the swing really pulls on your shoulders with that one, which feels pretty good as long as you don't over do it. I think it's also important to make sure you're stopping it with your elbow still flexed and your back straight so that your reduce the jerking on the spine and neck. Control is very important here!

I say take a week or two off from the posts and work some rowing motions or "pulling weed", then start bringing the posts back in slowly - like maybe a third of the reps you've been doing. You can increase slowly from there to give your disks time to adjust. Not that I'm a fitness expert or anything - I just read a lot and this what I've picked up.

Hi SR Bliss! Hope you are feeling better! May I suggest you get a massage!

Reinhard, all weight lifting exercises, have the potential to aggravate lingering conditions in our muscles and put stress on us, which can cause pain..
SR did the right thing, which was to listen to his pain, and skip that movement.. Again, Steve, hope you feel all better!

I know you are worried that people might hurt themselves here, but really, every movement in SG has that potential.. Anyway.. I personally don't think one persons experience necessitates a caveat for that particular exercise..
I have never had that pain occur..
It's specific to SR's personal state of being..

I didn't look at your warning, so maybe I should, but all I'm saying is that I think a general disclaimer is really most appropriate.. Otherwise you'll be chasing down every knot, pinched nerve, and twinged muscle that goes with every SG movement for an infinite amount of SG'ers on the planet..

Just my twenty cents!
Peace and Love,
Deb_________________There is no Wisdom greater than Kindness

I think the stress is caused by the stopping motion as mentioned by phayze. I know from experience that I cant beat the tar out of something with a sledge - no stopping involved.
I looked at the warning and think it is a good idea. This movement is the only one that I really feel any strain while performing it.

I do plan on getting a nice massage as a gift to myself when I reach the 2x21day club.

Since I "zinged" my back I have stopped doing the drive fence posts motion and I am happy to report that I have no back pain at all. I have even been doing dumbbell swings with a 40 pound dumbbell and just feel great.
Steve_________________Started NOS and Shovelglove August 21, 2006.